> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.flashquotes.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Core Services

> Set up your main service offerings and packages

export const PlusBadge = () => <span style={{
  backgroundColor: '#EFF6FF',
  color: '#2563EB',
  padding: '2px 8px',
  borderRadius: '4px',
  fontSize: '12px',
  fontWeight: '600',
  marginLeft: '6px',
  display: 'inline-block',
  verticalAlign: 'middle',
  border: '1px solid #BFDBFE'
}}>
    Plus
  </span>;

<Note>
  Before creating services, read [Structuring Your Services](/services/structuring-services) to understand what should be a service vs. an add-on or pricing rule.
</Note>

## Create Your First Service

Go to **Services & items** in the sidebar and click **New Service**.

**Service fields:**

* **Service Name**: What customers see on quotes (e.g., "Mobile Bar Service")
* **Description**: Brief explanation for customers
* **Line Item Description**: How it appears on invoices. Supports rich text formatting and [shortcodes](/workflows/shortcodes/overview) like `{{quote.guest_count}}` or `{{lead.first_name}}` — shortcodes resolve when the quote is created.
* **Base Price**: Starting price for the service
* **Minimum Price**: Lowest acceptable price
* **Pricing Options**: Configure hourly rates and per-guest pricing

## Service Pricing Configuration

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="dollar-sign" title="Pricing Structure">
    Each service can have multiple pricing components:

    **Base Price**: The starting price for your service

    * Sets the foundation cost
    * Can be a flat fee or starting point for calculations

    **Hourly Rate per Staff**: Price per hour per staff member

    * Multiplied by number of staff and hours
    * Great for labor-intensive services

    **Price per Guest**: Additional charge per attendee

    * Scales with event size
    * Perfect for consumption-based services

    **Minimum Price**: The lowest you'll accept

    * Ensures profitability on all bookings
    * Overrides calculated prices if they're too low

    <Tip>
      Your final price = Base Price + (Staff × Hours × Hourly Rate) + (Guests × Per Guest Rate), with the Minimum Price as a floor.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="image" title="Service Presentation">
    Make your service appealing:

    * **Service Image**: Upload a high-quality photo
    * **Description**: Clear, benefit-focused text
    * **Line Item Description**: Professional invoice wording — supports rich text and [shortcodes](/workflows/shortcodes/overview) (e.g. `{{quote.guest_count}}`) that resolve when the quote is created

    <Note>
      Good descriptions and images significantly improve conversion rates.
    </Note>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Service Examples

**Popular service types:**

* Bar Services (mobile bar, bartending, cocktail packages)
* Photo Services (booth, photographer, instant prints)
* Catering (appetizers, full meals, dessert stations)
* Entertainment (DJ, live music, games)
* Equipment (lighting, sound, furniture)

## Service Descriptions

Write clear descriptions that sell:

✓ **Good**: "Full-service mobile bar with professional bartender, premium liquor selection, and custom cocktail menu for 4-hour events"

✗ **Too vague**: "Bar service available"

✗ **Too long**: Three paragraphs explaining every detail

## Pricing Examples

Common pricing strategies:

* **Hourly services**: Base $200 + $75/hour per bartender
* **Flat packages**: Base \$1,200 for photo booth (4-hour minimum)
* **Per-person services**: Base $500 + $25/guest for catering

## Service-Specific Add-ons

<PlusBadge />

Control which add-ons appear when customers select this service on a quote request form.

**Automatic linking:** When you create a new service, it's automatically linked to all existing add-ons. When you create a new add-on, it's automatically linked to all existing services. You can then remove links you don't need.

To configure:

1. Go to **Services & items** and click on a service
2. Find the **Linked Add-ons** section
3. Click the edit icon and select the add-ons that apply to this service
4. Save your changes

<Note>
  Only linked add-ons are available for a service. If no add-ons are linked, none will be shown for that service on forms.
</Note>

**How it works with multiple services:**
When a customer selects multiple services on a form, they see every add-on linked to any of the selected services.

For example:

* "Mobile Bar" is linked to: Extra Hours, Premium Spirits, Custom Cups
* "Photo Booth" is linked to: Extra Hours, Backdrop Upgrade
* Customer selects both → all four add-ons are shown

## Service-Specific Resources

<PlusBadge />

Control which resources can fulfill a specific service. This drives availability on your forms and quotes.

**Automatic linking:** When you create a new service, it's automatically linked to all existing resources. When you create a new resource, it's automatically linked to all existing services. You can then remove links you don't need.

To configure:

1. Go to **Services & items** and click on a service
2. Find the **Linked Resources** section
3. Click the edit icon and select the resources that can deliver this service
4. Save your changes

<Note>
  Only linked resources are eligible for a service. If no resources are linked, none will count toward availability for that service.
</Note>

**How it affects availability:**
The date picker on your lead intake form reflects only the resources linked to the selected services. Quote presentation and booking form availability badges also update based on linked resources.

For quotes with multiple services, only resources linked to **all** selected services count toward availability.

For example:

* "Espresso Bar" is linked to: Cart A, Cart B
* "Cocktail Bar" is linked to: Cart B, Cart C
* A quote with both services → only Cart B counts toward availability

<Tip>
  If you run multiple service types with different equipment, linking specific resources per service prevents availability conflicts.
</Tip>

## What Happens Next

Services appear in:

* Quote generation forms
* Customer booking pages
* Invoice line items
* Calendar scheduling

## Common Issues

**Service not appearing in quotes**: Check availability rules and make sure service is active

**Pricing seems wrong**: Verify the pricing model matches your intended structure (hourly vs. flat rate)

**Customers confused by description**: Keep descriptions focused on value and what's included